Mugs collections stack up quickly, and parting with even one can feel like the world’s hardest mission. With coffee and tea, they hold sentimental value and remind us of places we’ve been and people we love.
If you’ve already thinned your assortment and are still looking for ways to breathe new life into your mugs, consider these smart upcycling ideas. They’re all perfect ways to put your creativity to the test.
Store Pens & Pencils
Tired of writing utensils and craft supplies taking over your desk? Mugs were basically made for people who love to create and craft. They can contain everything from pens and pencils to stickers, paintbrushes, markers, scissors, washi tape, and other odds and ends that tend to clutter your workspace.
Pour a Candle
Because they hold heat well, mugs are the perfect vessel for a DIY candle—just the thing to make your home feel cozier for the fall season. “Craft stores carry a variety of wax melts, from simple microwavable ones to the traditional double-boilers styles,” says designer Janette Ewen. “I love the microwavable option.”
Try a Mini Vase
Grandiose vases have their place at the table, but there’s something about a humble mug that makes for the prettiest decor. Their short size also allows guests to see and talk with each other across the table.
Add to a Cozy Gift Basket
Mugs make for an excellent gift, especially when paired with other items. Add a bag of hot cocoa or a nice loose-leaf tea with a strainer. A mug cozy, snacks, candles, and other comforting essentials can bring this gift to life. It works for birthdays, the holidays, Mother’s Day, you name it.
Create a Planter
Don’t have the biggest green thumb? Keep it simple by letting a few old mugs serve as planters for herbs, microgreens, and houseplant seedlings or cuttings. “You can group mismatched mugs full of herbs together in a shallow wood box or vintage crate to create a unique indoor garden,” Ewan suggests.
Make a Birdfeeder
Give your backyard birds a sweet little place to snack by turning an old mug into a charming bird feeder. Fill it with birdseed and secure it sideways to a sturdy surface, or hang it by the handle in a sheltered spot where feathered visitors can easily perch and enjoy a bite.
Organize Bathroom Essentials
Ewan also recommends using mugs as storage containers in the bathroom. They’re great for holding toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss. Or you can use mugs to organize cotton balls, cotton rounds, and cotton swabs. Bonus: They’ll add visual appeal to your space, too.
Wendy Rose Gould is a lifestyle journalist who routinely contributes to Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Women’s Health, and House Beautiful, among others. She covers home and garden, wellness, and travel, focusing on thoughtful storytelling and detailed reporting. When not writing, you can catch her perusing thrift stores, singing, hitting the gym, and petting any cat or dog that'll allow it.
